The late Margaret Swimmer is seen in a photo that appeared on the website of the Hall Estill law firm, where she was a partner.

National

Margaret Swimmer, former first lady of Cherokee Nation, passes on

Friday, April 5, 2019

Margaret Swimmer, a former first lady of the Cherokee Nation, passed away on April 1. She was 75.

Swimmer's husband, Ross Swimmer, served as chief of the tribe from 1975 to 1985. She was an attorney who worked on Indian issues for more than 30 years.

"She was a dedicated public servant to Indian Country and she will be greatly missed," Chief Bill John Baker wrote in a post on social media.

"Throughout her career she has negotiated the successful lease of thousands of Indian acres for a major oil and gas project; negotiated a major Indian lease for eight major utilities, obtained Bureau of Indian Affairs approval and successfully defended leases in administrative procedures and federal court appeals; and served as a liaison in working with tribe's negotiating of gaming," her law firm biography stated.

Funeral services are taking place in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on April 13, The Tulsa World reported.

After his tenure as chief, Ross Swimmer served as Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs at the Department of the Interior during the Ronald Reagan administration. He oversaw the Bureau of Indian Affairs in that role.

Read More on the Story

Margaret Swimmer, Tulsa attorney and former Cherokee Nation first lady, dies at 75 (The Tulsa World April 5, 2019)